1Cor 5:12, Col 4:5, 1Th 4:12 | JFB | e4.org | 12. what have I to do —You might have easily understood that my concern is not with unbelievers outside the Church, but that I referred to those within it. also —Implying, Those within give me enough to do without those outside. do not ye, &c.—Ye judge your fellow citizens, not strangers: much more should I [BENGEL ]. Rather, Is it not your duty to judge them that are within? God shall judge them that are without: do you look at home [GROTIUS ]. God is the Judge of the salvation of the heathen, not we ( ). Paul here gives an anticipatory censure of their going to law with saints before heathen tribunals, instead of judging such causes among themselves within.

‏ 1 Corinthians 5:12

12. what have I to do—You might have easily understood that my concern is not with unbelievers outside the Church, but that I referred to those within it.

also—Implying, Those within give me enough to do without those outside.

do not ye, &c.—Ye judge your fellow citizens, not strangers: much more should I [BENGEL]. Rather, Is it not your duty to judge them that are within? God shall judge them that are without: do you look at home [GROTIUS]. God is the Judge of the salvation of the heathen, not we (Ro 2:12-16). Paul here gives an anticipatory censure of their going to law with saints before heathen tribunals, instead of judging such causes among themselves within.

‏ Colossians 4:5

5. (See on Eph 5:15, 16.)

in wisdom—practical Christian prudence.

them . . . without—Those not in the Christian brotherhood (1Co 5:12; 1Th 4:12). The brethren, through love, will make allowances for an indiscreet act or word of a brother; the world will make none. Therefore be the more on your guard in your intercourse with the latter, lest you be a stumbling-block to their conversion.

redeeming the time—The Greek expresses, buying up for yourselves, and buying off from worldly vanities the opportunity, whenever it is afforded you, of good to yourselves and others. "Forestall the opportunity, that is, to buy up an article out of the market, so as to make the largest profit from it" [CONYBEARE and HOWSON].

‏ 1 Thessalonians 4:12

12. honestly—in the Old English sense, "becomingly," as becomes your Christian profession; not bringing discredit on it in the eyes of the outer world, as if Christianity led to sloth and poverty (Ro 13:13; 1Pe 2:12).

them . . . without—outside the Christian Church (Mr 4:11).

have lack of nothing—not have to beg from others for the supply of your wants (compare Eph 4:28). So far from needing to beg from others, we ought to work and get the means of supplying the need of others. Freedom from pecuniary embarrassment is to be desired by the Christian on account of the liberty which it bestows.